Wheelbarrow attachment



July 24, 1962 Filed NOV. 12, 1959 E. H. FISHER WHEELBARROW ATTACHMENT 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 1f flan 420 fis/rie July 24, 1962 E. H. FISHER3,045,847

WHEELBARROW ATTACHMENT Filed Nov. 12, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 2 T T FIG-4 Iq E 6 A I N V EN TOR. f. #0 W420 7.07/52 July 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Nov. 12, 1959 INVENTOR. 1.. Ha WAEO 55/ /52 United States PatentOfiice 3,045,347 Patented July 24, 1962 3,43%,847 WHEELBARRQW ATTACHMENTElmer Howard Fisher, 123 Carnino Pablo, Orinda, Calif. Filed Nov. 12,1959, Ser. No. 852,285 7 Claims. (Cl. 214-370) The present inventionrelates to an attachment for wheelbarrows and the like, and isparticularly directed to the provision of a fork lift attachment whichis quite readily engaged with and disengaged from wheelbarrows and thelike [for adding a lifting function to devices of this type.

There is afforded by the present invention a very substantial andadvantageous extension of the utility of conventional wheelbarrows. Thisis herein accomplished by the provision of a fork lift attachment, whichmay be readily engaged with a wheelbarrow to provide for the lifting ofheavy or bulky objects with the Wheelbarrow. The present invention findsparticular application in the lifting and moving of boxes or tubs, suchas, for example, planter boxes, and provides for the engagement withsuch objects at a substantial distance from structural members whichmight otherwise encounter and damage overhanging portions of theelements being lifted, such as, for example, plants growing in planterboxes. A very substantial mechanical advantage is achieved in thelifting of objects with the present invention in detachable engagementwith the wheelbarrow, so that only a minimum physical effort is requiredto lift and transport objects of a weight which would otherwise berelatively impossible to move by hand equipment. The present inventionis further advantageous in maintaining the lifted load at all times inclose proximity to the ground, so that a very steady balance ismaintained and dangers of upsetting are minimized.

The present invention, in brief, includes a very simply constructed andreadily demountable attachment for wheel-barrows. This attachmentstructure includes a protruding fork which may be employed either tolaterally grip objects to be lifted or may be employed to slide undersuch objects to thereby raise same by pivoting the wheelbarrow itselfinto normal wheeling position. A minimum of structural elements arerequired for the present invention, so that a marked simplicity instructure is herein achieved. A very substantial strength and ruggednessof the attachment is attained by the utilization of a novel andadvantageous mounting arrangement for engaging the invention with awheelbarrow structure. Furthermore, the present invention is adapted forattachment to wheelbarrows of various structures, and this attachment isquite readily accomplished without the necessity of bolting or otherwisefastening the device to the wheelbarrow. As a result of the demountablefeature of the present invention, the apparatus hereof is quite readilyand rapidly attached to and removed from wheelbarrows, so as to therebyachieve maximum utility. The demountable feature of the presentinvention further provides for ready storage of the attachment when sameis not in use upon a Wheelbarrow. Addi tionally, the present inventionis readily separable into a minimum number of individual componentswhich readily fit together to form a compact package for shipping and/or storage,

In brief, the present invention provides an attachment including a pairof tines extending forwardly from a structural crossmember, that is, inturn, adapted for mounting upon a conventional Wheelbarrow. The mountingmeans includes thrust members and tension members, which are preferablyadjustable to accommodate attachment of the invention to wheelbarrows ofvarying sizes and configurations. As a further advantage and feature ofthe present invention, the forwardly extending tines thereof may beprovided in relatively movable relationship, so as to thereby move uponthe structural mounting member for affording desired spacing betweensuch tines. This is advantageous in the utilization of the attachmenthereof for lifting tapered objects, wherein it is desired to engage thesides of the object with the tines of the fork lift attachment. Theparticular mounting means herein employed, including both thrust membersand tension members, further serves to materially simplify the structureof the present invention commensurate with the achievement of maximumstructural strength.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved andreadily demountable fork lift attachment for wheelbarrows.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedWheelbarrow attachment having a fork member demountably attached to aWheelbarrow by compression and tension members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fork liftattachment for Wheelbarrows which is adapted for detachable engagementtherewith, and including no fastening means in such attachment,

Various other possible objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdescription of particular preferred embodiments hereof, however, nolimitation is intended by the terms of such description, and, instead,reference is made to the appended claims for a precise delineation ofthe true scope of the present invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of a preferred embodiment of the fork liftattachment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fork lift attachment of FIG. 1 inengagement with the conventional wheelbarrow;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single tine of the fork liftattachment, illustrating structural details thereof;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the fork liftattachment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the presentinvention, and illustrating alternate tine attachment details;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention,particularly adapted to certain wheelbarrow structures; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken in theplane 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Considering now the present invention in some detail, and referringfirst to FIGS. 1, and 2 of the drawing, there will be seen to beprovided as a part of the fork lift attachment of the present invention,a transverse structural member 11 forming the back of a fork. Thismember 11 may be formed as a rectangular tube and there is mounted uponthis structural member a pair of tines 12 and 13 forming the fork 14 ofthe invention. The tines 12 and 13 extend forwardly of the fork liftattachment, and thus transversely of the structural member 11. Inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, these tines l2and 13 may be mounted upon the structural member 11 to slide therealong,so as to thereby afford control over the lateral displacement of thetines. As illustrated in FIG. 3, an individual tine 12 may be formed ofa channel iron having the side webs thereof cut off or removed at theback portion of the tine, this back portion then being folded about arectangle, as illustrated. By the appropriate dimensioning of therectangular opening formed laterally through the tine by folding therear portion thereof, it will be seen that the tine will fit about thestructural member 11 so as to thereby be slidable along the length ofthis member. Furthermore, by the provision of a rectangularcross-section to the structural member 11 and a like configuration tothe openings at the rear of the tines, it will be seen that these tinesare restrained from rotating about the structural member. Preferably,the rear end of the tine '12, which is folded forward to complete thesquare or rectangular opening at the rear of the tine, is firmly securedto the forward portion of the tine, so as to thereby provide maximumstructural rigidity to the tine structure. The formation of the tinefrom a channel so as to thereby leave the side channel portions on theforward portion of the tine will be seen to afford a materialstrengthening of this member, and, preferably, this side portion of thetine is tapered toward the front of the tine so as to thereby provide awedge-shape to the tine in cross-section, again as illustrated.

Attachment of the fork lift of the present invention to wheelbarrows orthe like, is herein accomplished by the provision of both compressionand tension members extending rearwardly from the structural member 11.Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, there will be seen to be provided a pair ofcompression or thrust members 16 and 17, which are preferably formed ofangle iron or the like, and which are separately secured to thestructural member 11, as by mean-s of bolts 18. These thrust members 16and 17 extend perpendicularly from the structural member 11 in theopposite direction from the tines and are each provided at the rear endsthereof with slots 21 and 22, respectively. These slots 21 and 22 areformed in the upper surface of the thrust members at the rear thereof,and extend generally longitudinally of the thrust members toward thestructural member 11. Preferably, the side web of the thrust anglemembers is partially cut away at the rear end of these members, forreasons set forth in more detail below.

Also attached to the transverse structural member 11 are a pair oftension elements 23 and 24. These tension elements may be advantageouslyformed in two parts to afford adjustment in the length thereof, so thatthe fork lift attachment of the present invention may be readily engagedwith wheelbarrow structures of varying sizes and configurations.Although a multitude of ways are possible to provide the desiredadjustment in the length of the tension elements, a material simplicityof design and low cost of construction is herein achieved by theformation of each of such elements from a forward strap 26 and anengaging bar 27. The strap '26 is disposed with the forward portionthereof resting upon the structural member 11 atop the thrust member 16and is bent to extend upwardly from this member. The strap is afiixed inpivotal mounting upon the structural member 11 by means of a bolt 19,which may extend through both the structural member and thrust member soas to thereby afford greater structural rigidity to the attachment ofthe thrust member and structural member while at the same time providingfor mounting of the tension element. The strap 26 extends rearwardly andupwardly from the structural memher, while at the same time slantingoutwardly from an axis transversely through the structural member andfork. The rear end of the strap 26 is bent upwardly and has an openingformed therein, through which the bar 27 extends. A plurality of spacedapertures 28 are formed in the strap 26, along the length thereof andthe forward end of the bar 27 is bent downwardly so as to fit into anyone of these apertures. By providing the opening in the rear upturnedlip of the strap 26- of sufficient size, it will be seen to be possibleto pivot the bar 27 so as to slip the front end thereof out of anaperture 28 in the strap 26, and to then slide the bar 27 along thestrap until a desired overall length of strap and bar are attained. Inthis position, the bar is then pivoted to move the front end downwardlyinto one of the apertures in the strap, and to thereby prevent furtherlongitudinal motion of the bar with respect to the strap. The rear endof the bar 27 is curved to form a hook 29 extending inwardly toward acentral axis of the fork lift attachment, as illustrated. This hook 29has a substantial radius of curvature, so as to readily fit aboutstructural members of the wheelbarrow, as set forth below.

Engagement of the fork lift attachment of the present invention with awheelbarrow structure is quite readily and rapidly accomplished, withoutthe necessity of employing fastening devices. There is illustrated inFIG. 2 a preferred embodiment of the present invention in engagementwith a wheelbarrow 4-1, including a bucket 42 mounted atop a pair oflongitudinal frame members 43, which, in turn, are carried upon a wheel44- rotatably mounted upon an axle 46 extending between the forwardextremities of the frame. Generally U-shaped legs 47 are convention-allyprovided beneath the rear portion of the wheelbarrow bucket inconnection to the frame 43 to support the bucket upon three points whensame is at rest. Attachment of the fork lift arrangement hereof to thewheelbarrow structure is readily accomplished by fitting the thrustmembers 16 and 17 onto the frame 43 of the wheelbarrow immediately abovethe axle thereof and on opposite sides of the wheel 44. The thrustmembers are engaged with the wheelbarrow frame at the slots 21 and 22provided in the thrust members, so that the thrust members then slideonto the wheelbarrow frame immediately above the wheelbarrow axle. Bypivoting the fork lift attachment upwardly at the front thereof, it isthen possible to place the tension member hooks 29 immediately behindthe forward portion of the wheelbarrow legs, so as to extend about same.Pivoting of the fork lift attachment downward then engages the tensionmembers with the wheelbarrow structure at the hooks 29, so as to preventfurther downward pivoting of the fork lift attachment. This is theposition in which the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 of thedrawings.

With the fork lift attachment of the present invention engaged with awheelbarrow, as illustrated, the wheelbarrow is then adapted for theready lifting and moving of heavy or bulky objects through the use ofthe fork 14 extending forwardly of the wheelbarrow structure. In use,the wheelbarrow is lifted at the rear end thereof by grasping thehandles formed at the rear terminals of the frame 43, so as to bemovable upon the wheelbarrow wheel 44. This will be seen to pivot thefork lift attachment of the present invention downwardly, so that thetines thereof are in position to slide under objects to be lifted, or,alternatively are in position to laterally engage a tapered object to belifted. In the lifting of bul-ky or heavy objects wherein the tines ofthe present invention are adapted to be moved under the object, it isonly necessary for the operator to pivot the wheelbarrow up-- wardly atthe rear end thereof about the wheel 44, so as to position the tines ofthe present invention upon the ground and then to roll the wheelbarrowforward to slide the tines under the object. Correct lateral placementof the tines 12 and 13 may be accomplished by physically grasping sameat the rear ends thereof, and sliding them along the structural member11. With the tines of the fork lift attachment hereof disposed beneath aheavy or bulky object to be moved, it is only necessary for the operatorto then manually depress the wheelbarrow handles, so as to pivot thefork lift attachment and wheelbarrow for raising the object.

It will be appreciated that a very substantial leverage is afforded byvirtue of the substantial extension of the wheelbarrow frame 43rearwardly of the wheelbarrow axle, which forms the pivot point aboutwhich the object is raised. It has been found that objects of greatweight may be raised with very little effort in this manner. Inasmuch asthe fork lift attachment is at all times close to the ground, it will beappreciated that the balancing of an object upon the fork 14 posesalmost no problem. Only a relatively slight raising of the object isnecessary for same to be moved by walking with the wheelbarrow to movesame upon the wheelbarrow wheel 44. By maintaining the object close tothe ground, no danger of unbalancing occurs. It is to be further notedthat the object to be lifted is at all times maintained at a substantialdistance from any Wheelbarrow elements which might otherwise interferewith overhanging portions of such object. This is of particularadvantage wherein the wheelbarrow and attachment may be utilized to moveelements or objects, such as planter boxes, having shrubbery or the likegrowing therein.

Particular types of planter boxes, for example, are formed with taperedsides, and in this instance it is not necessary for the fork of thepresent invention to be placed beneath the box in order to raise andmove same. It is only necessary for the tines 12 and 13 to be properlyadjusted as to spacing upon the transverse structural member 11, and forthe wheelbarrow and attachment to then be moved toward the tapered box,so that the tines slide along opposite sides thereof, substantiallybelow the top of the box. By depressing the wheelbarrow handles, it willthen be seen that the tines engage the sides of the tapered box, orobject, so that same is lifted as the wheelbarrow is pivoted about thewheel thereof. This particular application of the present invention ishighly advantageous in gardening and nursery work. In this respect, itis noted that although the tines 12 and 13 may be readily movedlongitudinally of the transverse structural member 11 by physicallygrasping the tines at the rear end thereof and sliding same along themember, the application of an outward force to the tines adjacent thecenter or front portions thereof will not slide the tines outwardly uponthe structural member. Rather, there will be applied a pivoting force tothe tines, which will then tend to bind same upon the transverse member11, so that they will be fixed in position and will firmly grasp thetapered member disposed therebetween.

In order that the fork lift attachment of the present invention may beadapted to fit a wide variety of wheelbarrow structures, there may beprovided a plurality of apertures vertically through the transversestructural member 11 of the fork lift attachment, so that the thrustmembers 16 and 17 may be afiixed to different points thereof. While amajority of conventional wheelbarrow structures of the single-wheelvariety will be fitted by a single positioning of the thrust members 16and 17, lateral displacement of the thrust members may be desirable toproperly engage wheelbarrows of the type having two wheels. Also, thecut-out portion upon the side web of the angle forming the thrustmembers is provided to accommodate those Wheelbarrow structures whereinthe axle extends substantially laterally outward of the wheelbarrowmembers 43.

It will be appreciated that various alternative structures are possiblein connection with the fork lift attachment of the present invention,and certain of these structures are hereinafter described, however, inthis connection it is noted that the tines of the fork hereof are ineach instance fixed against rotational motion. In this respect, aplurality of different configurations are possible, and there isillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 a single, preferred manner of providing thisrelationship with adequate structural rigidity. There could,alternatively, be provided a plurality of other structures such as, forexample, a slotted pipe in place of the square tube of the structuralmember 11, or an angle iron in place of such element. With regard to themovement of the tines of the fork upon this structural member, there isabove described and illustrated a free sliding arrangement with afriction grip; however, it is possible in this connection to use apositive grip, such as a toothed engagement between the tines and thetransverse structural member.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 there is illustrated a further embodiment of thepresent invention employing a modified transverse structural member andtine engagement therewith. There is also provided as a part of thisillustrated embodiment a somewhat different means for attaching thetension member of the invention to a wheelbarrow structure. Referring tothe embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, there will be seen to be provided apair of tines 12 and 13 which are slidably mounted upon a transversemember 51. This latter member is formed of a piece of angle iron, andattachment of the tines thereto is accomplished by a bracket 52 uponeach of the tines. Each bracket has a rearwardly extending lip 53 whichdepends downwardly so as to form a slot which is adapted to accommodatethe upwardly extending portion of the angle iron of the member 51. Thebracket 52 may be attached as by bolts, or the like, to an upstandingweb upon the tine and will be seen to slidably engage the tine with thetransverse member 51, by means of the bracket lip 53. In this instancethe tines may be formed of an angle iron with an upstanding wall thereoftapered toward the front of the tine, so as to provide a minimumcross-section of the tine at the front thereof, as best seen in FIG. 5.In order to prevent the tines from being lifted from the transversemember 51, there may be provided upon each of the tines a lower plate54, secured to the under surface of the tine and extending rearwardlyfor engagement of the under surface of the member 51. This is best seenin FIG. .5 wherein it will be noted that the combination of the bracket52 and under plate 54 serves to firmly secure the tine to the angle ironof the member 51, so that the tine is movable longitudinally of thismember 51, but is firmly secured to the member in connection withmovement in any other direction. Engagement of the tines with thetransverse member 51 is accomplished by sliding the tines onto the endsof this member.

In this embodiment of the invention, the thrust members 16 and 17 may bethe same as those illustrated and described above; however, analternative tension member may be herein provided. Thus, there is shownin FIGS. 4 and 5 tension means 56 including a forward depending portion,which may be either integral with or attached to the main bod-y of thetension means, and which is adapted for attachment to the upstandingrear portion of the angle of the transverse member 51. In this instance,but a single tension means is employed, and same is directed upwardlyand rearwartdly from the transverse member 51, and is further providedwith a crosspiece 57 which is remova'bly attached to an elongated bar ofthe tension means 56, as by means of a bolt 58. This cross-piece 57 isadapted to fit behind the legs 47 of a wheelbarrow 41, and is thusprovided with a sufficient length to extend transversely across thewheelbarrow and to fit behind the legs. A plurality of apertures may beprovided in the elongated bar of the tension means 56, in order that thecross-member 57 thereof may be attached at various points therealong, toaccommodate attachment of the fork lift arrangement hereof withwheelbarrows of varying sizes and configurations.

The engagement of the above-described embodiment of the presentinvention with wheelbarrows of conventional or unconventional structureis quite similar to that described above, with the exception of theengagement of the tension means 56. Insofar as the thrust members 16 and17 are concerned, same are adapted to fit upon the longitudinalwheelbarrow frame 4-3 immediately above the wheelbarrow axle 46 in thesame manner as previously described. The tension means is adapted tohave the cross-piece 57 thereof wedged behind the legs 47 of thewheelbarrow and, as above noted, provision is made for adjusting thespacing of this cross-member longitudinally of the tension means inorder to provide for proper positioning of the cross-member so as tothereby orient the fork lift attachment in proper or desired position infront of the wheelbarrow when attached thereto. Use of the fork liftattachment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is identical to that describedabove.

As above noted, various alternatives are possible in the mounting of thetines of the fork lift attachment hereof, and in this respect attentionis invited to FIG. 6, wherein the tine 61 is illustrated as beingslidably mounted upon a transverse shaft 62 by means of a wrap aroundbracket 63, secured to the tine and folded about the shaft. In order toprevent pivoting of the tine 61, the transverse structural member of thefork lift attachment is disposed in front of this shaft 62, and the tineextends over the top of the structural member. As herein illustrated,such member may be provided as an angle iron 64 oriented with the openside thereof to the rear and downwardly of the attachment. The thrustmembers 16 and 17 are secured directly to the transverse angle iron 64in any suitable manner, such as that described above, and, likewise, thetension member or members 66 are also secured to this angle iron, as atthe upper surface thereof. By the provision of the shaft 62 behind thetransverse structural angle 64 and by extending the tines 61 over thetop of the latter, it will be seen that the tine 61 is prevented fromrotating downwardly or clockwise in the illustration of FIG. 6. Thisalternative structure is also suitable for use with a wheelbarrowwherein the shaft 62 also forms the wheelbarrow axle. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in such instances the thrust member 17 willterminate in the vicinity of such axle, so as to thereby engagelongitudinal frame members of the wheelbarrow in order to transmitthrust thereto from the fork of the attachment.

Yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and this embodiment is particularlyadapted for attachment to wheelbarrows of the construction type, whereinrather large, straight, side frame members 71 are provided to supportthe Wheelbarrow bucket 73. Although it is believed evident that theabove-described embodiments of the present invention are readily adaptedfor attachment to a wheelbarrow of this structure, a certainsimplification of the overall structure may be afforded by theutilization of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 in connection withwheelbarrows of this type. As shown in these figures, there are provideda pair of longitudinal bars 74 and 76 formed, for example, of angleiron. Each of these bars is provided with a rear mounting bracket 77 anda central mounting bracket 78 for clamping onto the wheel barrow frame71. The brackets are removably secured to the bars as by bolts andelongated slots may be provided to adjust the brackets to removablyengage these bars with wheelbarrow structures of varying sizes. In orderto prevent slipping of the attachment, there is preferably provided anopening 79 through the upper end of the central bracket 78. This type ofwheelbarrow structure normally includes on each side thereof a dependingarm 81 attached to the frame by a bolt 82 and adapted to mount thewheelbarrow axle. Vertical brackets or braces 83 may also be secured bythese same bolts to support the forward end of the wheelbarrow bucket73. This then provides bolt heads atop the wheelbarrow frame 71 at theforward end thereof, and by the provision of apertures 79 in the centralattachment brackets it is possible to fit the brackets over these boltsso as to prevent the bars 74 and 76 from slipping of shifting on theframe.

This particular embodiment may be formed with the forward portions ofthe bars '74 and 76 defining tines of an attachment fork or fork liftarrangement, or alternatively, there may be provided a transverse member91, as illustrated, to slidably carry separate tines 12 and 13 thereon.It will be appreciated that material simplification is achieved by theutilization of the bars 74 and 76 directly as tines of the fork liftarrangement, however, it is also to be appreciated that in this instanceno lateral adjustment of the tine positions is possible. The embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a similar tine and transversemember relationship to that illustrated and described in connection withFIGS. 1 to 3, and thus same is not herein further described. It isnoted, however,

8 that the transverse member 91 may be directly bolted to the forwardends of the bars 74 and 76.

Attachment of the device illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 to a wheelbarrowof the type illustrated in FIG. 8 is quite readily accomplished byslipping the brackets 77 and 78 onto the wheelbarrow members 7 1 and 72from opposite sides thereof. It will be seen that the brackets or clamps77 and 78 serve to hold the attachment bars 74 and 76 firmly inengagement with the wheelbarrow structure. Furthermore, the engagementof the wheelbarrow bolts 82 with the central brackets 78 through theapertures "79 therein, serves to prevent slipping of the brackets atthis point. The fork lift attachment will thus be seen to be firmlyanchored to the wheelbarrow in removable attachment therewith, and thusto be in position for use in the manner described at some length abovein connection with other embodiments of the present invention.

The fork lift attachment of the present invention is readily adapted forremovable engagement with wheelbarrows of any and all construction. Theembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, for example,will be seen to be admirably suited to attachment to any type of wheelbarrow, whether of the single or doublewheel type. The adjustments inthe length of the tension means provide for accommodating wheelbarrowsof varying sizes and configurations, and also the provision for varyingthe spacing etween the thrust members of the fork lift attachment willbe seen to provide for accommodating various lateral dimensions, as maybe encountered in wheelbarrows of different types. Not only is the forklift attachment of the present invention adapted for engagement with anytype of conventional wheelbarrow, but, furthermore, it will be seen thatsuch attachment is quite readily and rapidly accomplished. It is notnecessary to operate fastening means in order to engage the fork liftattachment with the wheelbarrow but, instead, it is only necessary toslip the attachment onto a conventional wheelbarrow in order to providethe attachment in position for immediate use. The fork lift attachmenthereof will be seen to afford a substantial extension to the utility ofconventional carriers and wheelbarrows. By the utilization of thisinvention, it is possible for conventional wheelbarrows to be employedto lift and trans port vary bulky and heavy objects with a minimum ofphysical effort. Furthermore, the positioning of the fork of theattachment hereof will be seen to afford a substantial advantage in thebalancing of heavy and bulky objects, inasmuch as such objects are atall times maintained in close proximity to the ground. Through theutilization of both thrust and tension members, the fork lift attachmentof the present invention provides for maximum structural strength withminimum structural complexity and size. Furthermore, this particulartype of dual arrangement, wherein both compression and tension membersare employed, serves to materially simplify the manner in which theattachment hereof is engaged with and removed from a wheelbarrow. Almostno bending stresses are encountered by the individual elements of thepresent invention, aside from the times thereof, and by the formation ofsuch tines from channel iron or the like, sufficient structural rigidityis afforded thereby, so that no structural failure of the fork liftattachment hereof is encountered, even though extremely heavy weights belifted thereby. The very material mechanical advantage afforded theoperator of a wheelbarrow with this attachment thereon will be seen toprovide a great advantage, for a very long lever arm is available to theoperator so that it is quite easy to lift the heaviest of objects. Bythe elimination of transverse or bending forces on the compression andtension members of the present invention, it is possible then to providefor maximum strength of the device without the utilization of weightyand bulky structural elements. Forces are herein divided betweencompression and tension, so that the weight of the object lifted is thuspreferentially and advantageously dispersed for maximum liftingefliciency.

What is claimed is:

l. A fork lift attachment for wheelbarrows and the like comprising afork having a transverse structural member with at least two tinesextending therefrom in relatively movable relation on said member, apair of thrust members afiixed to said transverse member and extendingfrom the opposite side thereof from said tines for slidably engaging awheelbarrow frame in compression thereagainst, and at least one tensionmember secured to said transverse member and extending therefrom at agreater angle to horizontal than said thrust members, said tensionmember having protruding portions for hooking onto a wheelbarrowstructure above the engagement of thrust members and Wheelbarrow,whereby said fork is removably engageable with the wheelbarrow inextension in front of same and is maintained in engagement therewith bythe weight of said attachment.

2. An improved fork lift attachment for wheelbarrows comprising a forkincluding a pair of rigid tines slidably mounted upon a transversemember and extending forwardly therefrom, a pair of thrust member-ssecured to the transverse member of said fork in extension rearwardlythereof and slotted to engage a wheelbarrow frame adjacent thewheelbarrow axle in compression thereagainst, and a pair of controllablyextensible tension elements secured to the transverse member of saidfork in extension rearwardly and upwardly therefrom above said thrustmembers with hook means thereon for hooking onto wheelbarrow structureto removably affix the attachment to a wheelbarrow.

3. An improved fork lift attachment for wheelbarrows comprising arectangular tube, a pair of rigid tines having rectangular openings atthe rear end thereof for slidably engaging said tube in parallelextension therefrom, a pair of thrust members each having a slotted endfor engaging a'wheelbarrow frame immediately above the wheelbarrow axleand removably afiixed to said tube in extension from the opposite sidethereof from said tines, and a pair of tension elements mounted uponsaid tube to pivot in horizontal plane and extending upwardly from saidtube above said thrust members, said tension bars having hooks formed atthe outer ends thereof for hooking about wheelbarrow legs at the topsthereof, whereby the attachment is removably engageable withwheelbarrows to extend in front of same for the lifting of objects.

4. An improved wheelbarrow attachment comprising a rigid transversemember, a pair of forwardly extending rigid tines slidably mounted uponsaid member and restrained from rotating thereabout, tension meanssecured to said member and extending upwardly therefrom and away fromsame oppositely to said tines, said tension means having hook means atthe free ends thereof for booking onto wheelbarrow structure, andcompression means removably secured to said transverse member inextension from the opposite side thereof from said tines below saidtension means, said compression means having 10 slotted portions forengaging a wheelbarrow frame, whereby said attachment is adapted toremovably engage a wheelbarrow in extension forwardly therefrom toprovide a fork lift operable with a wheelbarrow.

5. An improved wheelbarrow attachment comprising a rigid transversestructural member, a pair of rigid tines mounted upon said structuralmember in extension forwardly thereof, compression means secured to saidtransverse member in extension rearwardly thereof substantiallyoppositely of said tines, said compression means having openings at thefree ends thereof adapted to engage wheelbarrow structure in compressionthereagainst, and at least one tension member secured to said transversemember in extension upwardly therefrom above said compression membersand having hook means thereon for slid ably engaging wheelbarrowstructure above said compression members, whereby the weight of thewheelbarrow attachment and any load carried thereby presses saidcompression members against engaging wheelbarrow structure and holdssaid tension member against wheelbarrow structure to firmly engage theattachment upon a wheelbarrow.

6. An attachment for wheelbarrows, as set forth in claim 5, furtherdefined by said transverse structural member comprising an angle iron atthe back of said tines, and means secured to said tines and extendingover straight portions of said angle iron to provide a slidable tineengagement therewith while preventing pivotal motion of the tinesthereon.

7. An improved fork lift attachment for a wheelbarrow comprising a forkhaving a pair of tines with rectangular openings laterally through therear ends thereof and slidably mounted thereby about a cross-member ofrectangular cross-section in extension transversely therefrom, a pair ofrigid thrust members removably secured to said cross-member in abuttingrelation to a back side thereof and extending oppositely to said tinestherefrom, said thrust members having the free ends thereof slotted tofit about the portions of a wheelbarrow frame above a wheelbarrow axle,and a pair of tension elements having adjustable lengths and connectedat one end of each to said cross-member in pivotal engagement therewith,said tension elements having the upper ends curved to form hooks andextending upwardly from said cross-member away from said tines forhooking about wheelbarrow legs, whereby the fork lift attachment isremovably engageable with a wheelbarrow to extend the tines forwardlythereof for the lifting of objects by the wheelbarrow and attachment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,347,314 Droll Apr. 25, 1944 2,593,796 Riewerts Apr. 22, 1952 2,966,275Brookins Dec. 27, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,184,871 France Feb. 9, 1959

